Reel-switch mechanism for rod-mills.



J. L. & S. A. SMITH. REEL SWITCH MECHANISM FOR ROD MILLS.

APPLICATION flu-:u Aue.27. 191s.

1,295,224. Patented Feb.25,1919.

/ 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Il J6 INVENTOR #2l-,L Smil-7b, J. A Jmihf.

J. L. & S. A. SMITH. REEL swlcH MECHANISM Foa Ron MlLLs.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.27|19I8.

INVENTOR JZ. mib,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN I'. SMITH AND- SHEBIDAN' A. SMITH, 0F HAMILTON, ONT-AMO, CANADA. REEL-SWITCH MECHANISM FOR BDD-MILLS.

Specieation of Letters Patent.

Application med Augusta?, 191s.- serialNofzsiffoe.A Q

l To all whom it may concern: i

Be it known that we, JOHN L. SMITH, a citizen ofthe Dominion SHERUJAN A. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, both residing at Hamilton, in the Province of Ontario, Dominion'ofV Canada, have invented a new and Improved Reel- Switch Mechanism for the following is a. specification.

. Our invention, which generally relates to improvements in lwire rod mills of the continuous Morgan type, more particularly has for its purpose to provide a comparatively simple and inexpensive construction of switch mechanism that is especially designed for controlling the direction of movementof the rods as they pass, under a very high speed, from the final or delivering rolls to the stand ofreels, andso, that the rods, as they reel or, in other words,

purposes stated that consists follow one another, may be run closely together and be guided from entering thesame so that the rod following the one being reeled, is shifted to enter another of the stand of reels and be reeled as the last filled reel is being removed.

Another object of our vide, in a switch mechanism of the c aracter stated, means for shifting the guides or tubes that lead the rods to the stand of reels and which, at predetermined times, is @adjusted for effecting initial switch pipes for bringing the said pipes over to aline with another of the shifting of the guides or tubes that lead to the reel stand and which, during the interim that the last end of the lengthof rod being reeled up passes through the entry end of the switch head and the approach of the `front end of the next or following line of rod enters into the said head which, after passing into a guide or tube-that directs it to a next reel to wind on the said reel as the ot er reel Acn which vthe preceding line of wire has been wound, is removed and replaced. With other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, our invention embodies an` for the general improved switch mechanism n n of the peculiar features pf construction and novel combination of parts, all of which will be hereinafter fully explained, specifically pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Flgure l is a plan View of our switch of Canada, and

Rod-Mills, of which invention isto promechanism, a portion of the last or rolls B being also shown.

Fig. 2 is a plan view, parts being in horizontal section, the several parts being positioned for directing the rod wires lw to the reels b-d, as shown in Fig. 1. l

F'g. 3 is a front ,elevation of the switch mechanism looking in the direction of the arrow on `F ig 4.

=Fig. 4 is a side elevationlooking in the direction of the arrow on Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation ofv one of the rotatable bell mouth switch pipe receivers,

delivery .hereinafter specifically referred to.

.stantlally on the line 6 6 of Fig. 2, illustrating the action ofthe switch pipe.

In the drawings, we have `shown a practical arrangement of our invention adapted for use in a rod mill of the continuous type that includes a reel stand having four reels and the switch mechanism C constructed for handling two lines of rod wire with the rod guides therefortesignat'ed 10-10, adapted Patented Feb., 25, 1919.

for being shifted into alternate engagement with relatively t0 spectively.

It is obvious,`however, that the switch mechanism may be designed-for operating on a single rod'guide to be shifted so as to deliver, alternately, reels.l

As is well known in the manufacture of wire rods in a continuous rod mill, in which the rods run close together, a finished rod the reels afa, (and,4 reruns about 1200 to 1500 feet long and takes about 40 seconds to go through the mill and this allows a reel to be emptied and started again before another or the following rod passes through the mill. f

`Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1, 2k3 and 4, 60 designates a suitable frame that is located in advance of the final or delivery rolls B. v

Since the construction and operation of each set of the switch devicesthat operate the two lines of rod lengths as they pass from the rolls B, are identical,l a detailed description of one set of such devices will suiiice for both.

The frame 60, is trough-shaped in cross section, thereason for which will presently appear, and has its rear wall vertlcally extended with the upper edge thereof posiinto either of a pair of l said tubes with respect y positioned for 'from the said rolls B.

The guide 5 is of a smaller diameterthan the bell mouth guide 7 so that it has lateral play within the said guide 7 during the shifting operation of the switch mechanism.

Guide 7 is swivellymounted on a stud bearing 8 in turn mounted on a post edly heldon the top edge of the frame wall 6, and in practice saidV post 9 is suitably covered so as to be'free from water or scale.

A switch pipe 10 is; fxedly attached at its entrant end to t e'vbell mouth` guide7 and vits front end extends into and eoperates with the switch head 11 having a laterally elongated bell mouth 12 into which the front end of the switch pipe 10: extends and in which the said pipe has lateral motion.

The switch 'head 11 also has a pair of forwardly extending. tapering rod passages 1314 with which the entry ends of a pair of guide tubes 15-16 connect and which extend out to and have their en ds shaped and discharging the rods into the reel cylinder. f

As is best shown in Fig. 2, the two tapering rod passages 13-14 have their entry ends in communication with the laterally extended bell mouth 12 and the said passages at their entry ends are separated by an abutment edge or point 18 that extends partially up andA constitutes a middle division point of the bell mouth 12 (notice particularly Figs. 6 and y7). v

By reason of tapering the rod passages 13 and 14 from their entry to their delivery ends, a wedge-like division is formed between the saidpassages and thereby separates the guide tubes 15--16 suificiently to provide for the proper positioning of the to the two reels a-b for delivering the rapas they are shifted the said reels idly moving rod lengths to alternately.

' S0 far as described, it will be'- apparent (particularly by referring to Figs. 1 and 2') that when the tion shown in full lines in the said figures the rod passes through the tube 13 and discharges onto the reel b and when the switch ipe is moved clear over to position yin line with the tube l14 it delivers to the reel a, and during the t'me in which the said reela is lling,l the reel b is removed, emptiedand returned to\the operating position.

One of the purposes of our improved construction of switch mechanism is to provide for running the rod lengths closely together, and since the rods travel at a high rate of speed it is essential that the final movement of the switch pipe that shifts from one position (say in line of the passage '13 to the eax rows or in the reverse switch pipe 10 is in the posiin Fig. 3.

other position, in line with the passage 14,) be positive and instantaneous the moment the end of that rod length being reeled passes out of the outlet endl of the switch pipe or tube 10 and before the front end of the next rod length passes through the said outlet end of the plpe 10.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be noted a cylinder 17 is lo cated in front of the adjacent wall of the frame 60, extends transversely underthe switch head 11 and is ixedly secured by bolts 62, to a horizontal bracket 61 that projects from the Wall of theframe as shown. v

19 designates a piston that worlm within the cylinder 17 and has movement between pipes 21-21 that extend to a valve casing-22 in which is located a three-way valve 23 and which communicates with'a fluid supply pipe 24 ifn which is contained the iluid pressure, air, steam, or water.

Valve 23, in practice, is located at such point adjacent the reel stand, that the operator who handlesthe reels may readily manipulate the valve 23 to let the fluid pressure into either end of the working cylinder, `as will be clearly understood from-the diagram Fig. 1 of the drawings, from which it will be noticed that under a proper'shifting of the valve the fluid pressure may be in the direction shown by the full line ardirection, as indicated by the dotted line arrows.

25 designates the piston rod or stem and it extends through and is slidable in a central aperture in the outer head of the cylinder 16.

26 designates an angle member that pivotally joins with the outer end of the piston rod 25 (see Figs. 2 and 3) and has its with an angled por- 30 that extends laterally from the adjacent wall of theV frame 601s plvotally mounted. a vertically positioned throw lever 31, adapted, when moved to a point just beyond the perpendicular, relatively to its pivotal bearing, for being thrown laterally under spring tension devices, the construction of which and the operation thereof is best indicated It will be noticed, in the said Fig. 3, that the upper end of the throw bar or lever 31, is forked and pivotally connected, at 32, to the arm 33 that controls the shifting of the switch pipe 10. The lever 31 also has a pairI of oppositely projected apertured bracket lugs 34--34 in each of which is slidably mounted an lEach ofthe bolts .Ai this point, if Should adjusting screw bolt 35. 35-35 connects with the upper end o f lighttensioncoiled ltension springs 36-36, the lower ends of which are joined with eyes 37-37 yonthe bearing 30, as is clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The arm 33, that governs the throw of the switch pipe 10, has an 'elongated slot 38. through which the said pipe 10 passes and the said slot 38 is of such length that when the arm 33 is thrown, in the manner to be presently explained, provision is made that- 1t may be moved beyond the vertical center to which it is thrown under the piston controlled means.

also be stated, that the elongated slot 28, in the angled portion 27, of the piston shifted member 26 is of such length that whenthe throw lever 31 as been swung to the vertical position, in either direction, under piston action, that the cross bolt 39 on the lever 31, which passes through the said slot 38, moves relatively `freely within'the said slot under .the final throw movement ofthe lever effected by the tension devices.

Ii Win be noticed, particularly in Figs; 1

and 2, the switch pipe is made smaller at the entry end so it is impossible for the rod to hit' against the dividing abutment or point 18 in the bell mouth of the switch head.

It should be here stated assuming the rod being worked is g inches in diameter, and the same red hot, the .tension/springs Vthat cooperate with the lever 31 should not be adjusted too tightly as the switch pipe 10 would thenbe liable to act as a brake and cause the rapidly passing rod to cobble.

en the last end of the rod reaches the point tion of a second before it vshifts over the remaining distance. Now, if the rods were. run but one inch apart, and traveling at the fast rate of speed hereinbefore stated,

the front ends would be liable.to hit the point 18, as before mentioned, but by forming the switch pipe 10 of lesser diameter at Y the rod as it does,

.3, and when it is the entry end with the other end engaging causes the Arod to belly, see Fig. 2, and therefore the rod following will go straight and miss the point 18, re-

f y gardless of the switch pipe hesitating.

Say the rod, indicated in solid black lines on Fig. 2, enters the reel on which it winds, the man 1n charge of the reeljstand adjusts which causes the valve cylinder to shift the piston and through its connections with the throw lever 31 causes the said lever to move 'over in the direction of the arrow .to just pass the center designated by the line X, -see 1g. to"pull the said lever 31 and the switch, by the shifting arm 33, until the switch pipe causes the rod to bear on the point 18 and A 18, the switch pipe hesitates a fraci stion with a plurality so moved the springs tendpassages and then'in line with the sage 14 and thereby direct the front end of the next rod length to take the tube 16 assto its respective reel. Y

r the next following bar has been sage 14 and-the tube the cylinder control valve is again shifted to cause the piston,

through its connection with the throw lever 16, as 'before state directed to take the fpas 31, to push vthe said lever back or in reverse direction, until pastthe center line X and then the tension devices will tend to pull the lever 31l farther in the said reverse direc passes it and then theA tlon and holdv the rod up against the bell mouth division, the same as was done while passing the tube 16.

The trough-like lframe '60 has an aperture 65 in the bottom thereof fordraining cooling the operating ing device for shifting the rod lengths to direct the rods to one or anotherof said preceding or last reeled nod lengths through the passage '14 and' the reels, said device including operating in- -strumentalities 4for effecting the initial shift and including means governed by the passing rod lengths for completing the shift,

as the Aend of the shifting device. g

2. In a rod mill of the character stated; a plurality of reels, means for rapidl shifting the rod lengths whereby to irect a closely following rod to one of said reels preceding rod leaves' the as the `endof a preceding rod length is belng'wound on its selected reel, and further means for holding the final end of a -rod length from cobbling as it passes from4 the switching element.

In 'a continuous rod mill, the combinaof rod take-up reels and means for rapidly advancing the rod lengths that follow in close relation; of a pair of guide. assa es, a tu-be for each passage, each of t e sai tubes discharging on a selected one of the said plurality ofreels, a shiftable guide through which the rod lengths pass nately moved first in line with. one of said other of the said passages and means for effecting the shi ting of said shiftable guide, and means sage, each of the said tubes discharging on a selected one of the said plurality of reels, j

a shiftable guide through which the rod lengths pass and by which they are alternately moved first in line with one of said assages and then in line with the other of the said passages, and means for holding the rod lengths from cobbling` as they discharge through either o the said passages.

5. In a rod mill of the character stated,

` in which 'is provided a plurality of reels,

bination with livery tube,

means for rapidly conveying rod lengths to the reels, said means comprising a duct and shiftable switch tube through which the rods `pass and a plurality of distributing tubes through which the rod is directed by the switch tube to the respective reels; the comally controlled mechanism for initiating the throw over of the switch tube and automatic means for completing the throw over at the instant the following end of the preceding rod passes out of the switch tube.

6.` In a rod millotthe character stated, in which is included a plurality of take-up reels and means for driving rod lengths fob lowing in close relation toward the take-up reels; of a rod delivery tube for each reel, a shiftable guide through which the rod lengths pass, means 'of the said guideV in alternate directions at predetermined times whereby to direct the advancing rod length to its selected rod deand a following rod length to another selected rod delivery tube.

7 In a rod mill of the character stated, in which is provided a plurality of reels, means for rapidly conveyingrod lengths to the reels, said means comprising a duct and shitable switch tube through which the rods -pass and a plurality of distributing tubes through which the switch tube to the respective reels; the combination with the switch tube of manually controlled means for initiating the throw over of the switch tube, and means governed by the passing rod lengths for effecting the completion of the final throw over of the switchtube.

8. In a reel switch mechanism for continuous rod mills, a plurality of reels, a separate rod delivery tube for each reel, a switch pipe through which the rod lengths travel in succession, means for shifting the switch pipe and holding its delivery end in contact with the rod as it passes into the delivery tube to one reel andcther means through which the switch tube, of a manufor effecting movement Y the rod is directed by.

or the other of the 'that complete the switching-movement of the switch pip'e as the last end of one rod leaves it whereby to aline with the delivery tube to another as the frontend vof the next rod length advances through the said pipe.

9. In a continuous rod mill, which mill includes a plurality of rod take-up reels, a single guide through which the finished rod lengths travel in close relation; a pair of tubular guides, one for each of: said reels through which the rod lengths are delivered to their respective reels, means for shifting the rod lengths as they pass from the single guide, alternately into one or the other of the pair of tubular guides, as the last end of one of into one of the said tubular guides, whereby to direct the fo lowing rod other tubular guide.

10. In a continuous ,rod mill, which mill includes a plurality of rod take-up reels, a single guide through which the finished rod lengths travel in close relation; a pair of tubular guides, one for each of said reels, guides the rod lengths are delivered to their respective reels, means for shifting the rod lengths as they pass from the single guide, alternately, into one or the other of the pair of ,tubular guides, as the last end of one of the rod lengths passes into one of the said tubular guides, whereby to direct the following yrod length into the other tubular guide, said means including a pivoted switch pipe located between the single guide and the two tubular guides and valve controlled fluid pressure means for shifting the said switch pipe into alinement with one or the other ofithe tubular guides. 11. In a continuous rod mill, which mill includes a plurality of rod take-up reels, and

lengths into the a single stationary guide through which the linished rod lengths are advanced in close relation; a pair of tubular guides -one for each of the pair of reels into which the said tubular guides deliver the rod lengths, av switch pipe located between the single guide and the two tubular guides, the said pipe having a bell mouth receiver at the entry end, said receiver being pivotally mounted with its mouth extending over the delivery end of the single guide, and means for swinging the switch pipe laterally, at predetermined times, and for holding its discharging end in alinement with either one convey the rod lengths to reels.

12. In a continuous rod mill, which mill includes a plurality of rod take-up reels and a single stationary guide through which the rod lengths are advanced in close rela-tion; apair of spaced tubular guides, one for each of the pair of reels, a switch head having a bell mouth with which the entry end of the tubular guides communicate, the said head their respective two tubular ,guides that v bell mouth, a.

including a wedge-shaped division whose opposite walls forin'rod guides and which merge and terminate at the front face of the switch pi e located 'between the said bell mouth of t e switch head andv the stationary guide, the said switch pipe having its entry end always extended over the delivery end of thestationai'y guide, the said entry whereby the delivery end of the pipe is adapted for movement within the bell mouth I' of the switch head, a throw vbar connected `in lateral direction, a

direction, a positively operating means for imparting an initial movement of the switch pipe whereby to swing it from alinement with one of the tubular guides toward the other tubular guide and move the passing rod into engagement with the adjacent rod guide wall in the switchhead.

13. In a continuous rod'mill, which mill includes a plurality of rodtake-up reels and.

a single stationary guide through which the rodlengths are advancedvin close relation; a pair of spaced tubular guides, one for each of the pair of reels, a switch head having a bell mouth with which the entry Aend of the tubular guides communicate, the

said head including a wedge-shaped division whose opposite walls form rod'guides and which mer e and terminate at the front face of the bel mouth, a switch pipe located between the -said bell mouth of the switch head and the stationary guide, the said switch -pip'e having its entry end always extended over the delivery end ofthe stationary guide, the said entry end being pivotallysupported, whereby the delivery end of the pipe is adapted for movement 'within the bell mouth of the switch head, a throw bar contubular guide.

a switch .14. In a reel switch mechanism for continuous rod mills, the combination with a stationary guide through which the rod lengths a pair of take-up reels, a pair of tubular guides, one for each reel and which deliver the rod lengths into their respective reels, head having a laterally extended bell mouth in communication with the 'two tubular guides, a swingable switch pipe having its entry end inconstant communication end being pivotally supportedv with the switch pipe for shifting it in lateral a pair of tubul aline with the are rapidly passed in close relation,

with the stationary guide and delivery end projected into the bell mouth that connects the two tubularguides, the said switch pipe having its entryend formed of alesserl diameter than its exit end, a member connected lwith the switch pipe, and means for moving the said member in a plane at vright angles to the switch pipe whereby when motion is imparted to said member, the switch pipe is transferred from alinement withone of the tubular tubular guide.

15. In' a reel character stated,

switch mechanism of .the the combination with a stationary guide through which the rodk lengths".

travel, a pair of take-up reels and a pair of tubular guides, one for each reel and which guides'de 'ver the rod lengths into guides to aline with the other i their respective reels; of a swingable mem- 'l ber whose entry end isconstantly. in communication with the stationary guide' and whose delivery end is adaptedfor being al'- ternately moved i of one or the other, of the tubular guides, a switch member shifting arm, means for to aline with the entry ends shifting the said arm whereby to moveth'e switch member laterally from one tubular guide tube to the other guide tube as the rod length is passing therethrough, and other means 'that operate to complete the lateral movement of the switch member the instant the end ofthe rod length passes from the said switch member and as the following rod length passes into said switch member.

16. In a reel switch mechanism of the character stated, the combination with ai guide through which the rodl stationary lengths travel, a pair of take-up reels and ar guides, one foreach vreel and which guides deliver the rod lengths into their respective reels; of a swingablev switch member whose entry end is constantly in communication with thestationary guide, and whose delivery end. Vis adapted for being alternately moved to entry ends of one or the other of the tubular` guides, a switch member shifting arm, means for shifting the said varm whereby to move the switch member fromv one tubular uide to the laterally laterally from one tubular gui e over to the other tubular guide as the rod length is passing therethrough, the said means including a valve controlled fluid pressure4 piston, a pivoted throw lever, connections that join the said lever with the piston and other connections that join` the pivoted lever with the switch member.

17. In a reel character stated, the combination with a stationary guide lthrough which the rod lengths travel, a pair of take-11p reels and a pair of tubular guides, one for each reel andwhich guides deliver the rod' lengths into'their respective reels; of a swingable switch mechanism of the 1 iso 'entry ends of' one or the other switch member whose entry endk is constantly lever'I with the piston and other connections that join the pivoted lever with the switch member. A

18. In a reelswitch mechanism of the character stated, the combination with the stationary guide through which the rod lengths travel, a pair of take-up reels and a pair of tubular guides, one for each reel and which guides deliver the rod lengths into their respective reels; of a swingable switch member whose entry end is constantly in communication with .the stationary guide and whose delivery end is adapted for being alternately moved to aline with the entry ends of one or tubular guides, a switch member shifting arm, means for shifting the said arm whereby to primarily move the switch member laterally from one tubular guide to the other tubular guide as the rod length is passing therethrough, the said means in'- cluding a valve controlled iuid pressure piston, pivoted lever connections that join the said lever with the piston, other connections that join the pivoted lever with the switch member, vand other means that are set for action by the movement of the pivoted lever that effects the primary lateral shifting of the switch member for eiectingl a final shifting of said switch member.

19. ln a reel switch mechanisml of the character stated, the combination with the stationary guide through which the' rod lengths travel, la pair of take-up reels and a pair o tubular guides, one for each reel and which guides deliver theA rod lengths into their respective reels; of a swingable member whose `entry end is constantly in Vmovement of the the other of the -the tubular guides,

communication with thev stationary guide and whose delivery end is adapted for be. ing alternately moved to aline withthe entry ends of one or the other of thetubular guides, a switch memberl shifting arm, means 'for shifting the said arm whereby to primarily move the switch member laterally from one tubular guide to the other tubular guide, as the rod length is passing therethrough, the said means including a valve controlled Huid pressure piston, pivoted lever connections that join the said lever with the piston, other connections-that 'oin the pivoted lever with the switch memer, other means set into action by the pivoted lever that effects the rimary lateral shiftingv of the switchl mem er for effecting a final shifting of. said switch member, the said other means comprising tension .spring devices that operate to eHect a swing of the pivoted lever independent of its piston operated connections whereby to bring .the switch member into alinement vwith the desired one of the tubular guides. as the rod length now traveling through the other tubular guide leaves the said switch member..

20. In a reel switch mechanism for continuous rod mills, the combination with `a stationary guide through which the rod lengths are rapidly passed, a pair of takeup reels, apair of tubular guides one for each reel and which .discharge the rod lengths into their-reels;` of a switch mem` ber through which the rod lengths pass, and whose entry end is constantly in aline-l ment with the single stationary guide, manually controlled means adapted for being set into action for primarily swinging the switch member, while the last end of the rod is passing therethrough and through oneof' over toward the other tubular guide, and other means that operate to impart a inal movement of the switch... member when the rod end passes therefrom, whereby to shift the ront endI of the following rod length into alinement with thel other tubular guide. l

JOHN L. s-Mrrn. sHERrDAN A. SMITH. 

